Light Bulbs were first invented 50 years before Thomas Edison improved the invention in 1879, however still today many think it was him that invented light bulbs. However since then the light bulb has changed time and time again and is now an item that everyone uses through out the world. Light Bulbs and Fluorescent Tubes have simply put two ways of working:-

1.       Incandescent Light Bulbs and Halogen Type Light Bulbs Pass an electrical current through a thin strand of metal, generally tungsten and the strand of wire will glow brightly. This stand of wire is housed in a vacuum enclosed clear or coloured glass vessel that then magnifies the element, and therefore enhances the illumination.

2.       Fluorescent Tubes and Low Energy type Light Bulbs simply pass an electrical current through a starter or ballast unit that then ignites various chemicals or powders that then cause a chemical reaction and again as with Incandescent and Halogen Light Bulbs a glow will then appear and it is enhanced in the same way through the glass housing.

In today’s world light bulbs are used for far more than just simply lighting up a room or a garden. They can be used to enhance the growth of plant with grolux light bulbs; they can be used to clean water using sterilisation light bulbs; and they can be used to see in the dark or for heating using infra red light bulbs.

Light Bulbs and fluorescent tubes have so many varieties and uses that it would be impossible to describe them all however one of the latest advances is that light bulbs can now be used for helping the human race with depression or what is called seasonal affective disorder syndrome “SADS”. This means that many people lives can be enhanced when otherwise they would be left feeling depressed. This breakthrough is due to the fact the engineers can now replicate varying colour temperatures and colour rendering.

As the many years of lighting technology has moved the possibilities of commercial and household light bulbs from standard household ranges to the many styles available today the race for technological advancements has not stopped. Engineers from around the world are racing ahead to develop LED Light Bulbs (Light Emitting Diodes). The LED Light Bulbs consume a tinny fraction of the electrical consumption of many of the standard incandescent light bulbs they are designed to replace, and what’s more they last for many thousands of hours. This type of lighting engineering will change many aspects of light bulbs during the coming years, with LED Fluorescent Tubes, LED Light Fittings being launched all the time from all the major light bulb manufacturers.

First Light Direct has specialised also in Aquarium and Reptile Lighting. Si, if you are an aquatic keeper then we have the answer in many forms. Our Range of sterilisation light bulbs and fluorescent tubes is simply huge, we have everything from sterilisation light bulbs in PLS, PLC and PLL styles and every variety of fluorescent sterilisation tube available from stock. For reptiles we have every thing from full spectrum fluorescent tubes and full spectrum light bulbs through to infra red heater lamps and ceramic heaters. Using daylight spectrum lamps specifically designed for reptiles will enhance your animals wellbeing and comfort.

Standard light bulbs of high wattage will be outlawed by the EU parliament during September 2009, so the following lamps such must bought early should you wish to keep stocks. High wattage reflector light bulbs, candle light bulbs, high wattage coloured light bulbs and many more. These will be replaced by various types of low energy light bulbs, many of which are now the same shape and size to the incandescent light bulbs they are replacing. Despite belief of many dimmable low energy light bulbs are available in many shapes and sizes. Even halogen light bulbs can be changed over to low energy light bulbs, such as the very popular GU10 light bulbs. These GU10 light bulbs are now available in a direct equivalent low energy version and are even available in dimmable versions. On average low energy light bulbs use 5 times less energy and most styles last 10 times longer than the older versions they are replacing.